A/N: Yes! I think I'm sailing the Miraxus ship becoz... Simply becoz they look perfect together LOL. I think recently they've been drawn together so much that I feel like they fit each other perfectly. Definitely going up to one of my top 5 fave OTP, and well... Maybe they'll fight with ElfGreen place in my heart LOL. But anyway, the moment between Mira and Laxus is already in the plot before I even want to put them together so I just had to add some romance from the original pelan. Bcoz Mira is kinda new in the team, I think between Erza, Jellal and Laxus, Laxus will be the only one who would go to a stranger and order them to do stuff for him. He's just awesome like that LOL.

Chapter 21

Gray opened his eyes slowly; registering the bright blue sheets sprawled beneath him. The décor of bright blue flowery wallpaper with a queen sized bed, and a softly carved white bedroom vanity paired with a built-in cupboard at one side of the same color, Gray squinted a bit, trying to limit the amount of light prodding into his eyes. Aside from the messy bed, the bedroom was indeed very neat. He reached out a hand to his side, expecting the owner of the room to be there, just to be met with an empty space. Gray frowned, opening his eyes again as he turned to his side. The said girl wasn't there. Instead, there was a clean folded towel properly placed there.

He sighed a bit, picking himself up as he scratched his messy hair. Eyes glancing at the clock, just to make sure he wasn't late, he got up, snatched the towel and walked to the bathroom for a shower. It was a pleasant feeling—having the water running across every crevice of his toned muscles. He smiled a bit, remembering the kissing marathon they had the night before. He didn't dare to go all the way—he didn't want to scare her off for giving the impression of a pervert—, but just having her in his arms all night long had really given a very positive effect inside him. Her smiles, her giggles, her squirms—for a moment, Gray thought they were in their small world that nothing else matters anymore.

He wore his pants and dried up his hair after shower—he wasn't sure where his shirt was. Somehow he might have stripped out of it last night. And he made his way to the kitchen when he heard some familiar soft humming. Letting the towel hang on his neck, he folded his arms on his chest as he watched the blue haired beauty strolling around the kitchen—he assumed she was preparing breakfast, considering there was a set of well prepared dish on the dining table.

"Are you always the morning bird or today is just a special day?" Gray decided to make his presence known.

He saw Juvia jumped a bit, turning towards him. "Ah, Gray-sama, you're awake. Good morning!"

He let out a small chuckle. "Good morning."

Juvia's eyes took in Gray's sculpted body, secretly admiring how that well-defined arms and chiseled abs were pressing against her the whole night. She blushed at the thought. "Umm, ano, uh, Juvia had washed Gray-sama's shirt this morning. Juvia thinks it's already dried," she quickly looked down, trying to hide her blush as she sauntered towards her balcony.

Gray raised his brows, as he watched the girl disappearing behind the door. Her skin was naturally pale, and it really didn't help much in hiding her blush. She just had to blush when they practically slept on the same bed with him half-naked. This girl is really weird. He grinned inwardly.

When Juvia came and handed him his shirt, he really had the urge to just put it away, wanting to enjoy more of her bashful look. But he decided against it. He teased her enough, he thought. His hands reached for the shirt, feeling the dry clean fabric as he put it on.

"How can you even had the time to wash this? Just how early did you wake up?" Gray shook his head, pulling out a chair as he sat, joining her.

Juvia smiled softly, hands preparing his plate with some rice and a bowl of miso soup. "Here, Juvia thought Gray-sama would prefer Japanese breakfast."

Gray grinned, leaning forward to place a chaste kiss on her soft lips. "Thank you."

Juvia blushed, nodding slightly as she took her own chopsticks. She could feel the warmth spreading inside her, her mind was imagining vivid fantasies of being his wife. She quickly shook her head, trying to clear her mind from having such imagination as she ate her meal.

"So? Are you telling me about it?" Gray asked, shoving some rice into his mouth. His brows rose a bit when he munched. It's delicious.

"About what?" Juvia blinked.

"About what troubled your mind," Gray said, glancing at her. "It can't just be because some girls dislike you for being with me, can it?"

Her lashes fluttered close a bit, her eyes looking down at her plate contemplating about the matter. "Juvia... Met Bora-san."

Gray paused at the mention of the name. "Bora?"

"Juvia's old friend," Juvia added.

Gray stared at her. "Friend?" he felt something inside him boiling. Sure, he didn't like that guy in the past. He remembered his only encounter with the said guy, and the punch he gave as his 'thanks'. But the feeling of dislike he was feeling now was completely different from that time. Was he jealous?

"Y-yes," Juvia decided to settle with just 'friend', completely unaware that Gray had already knew her history with Bora.

Gray nodded once. "Well, what did he want?" he asked cautiously. His face contorted slightly at the disturbing feeling inside his stomach.

"He..." she bit her lips, searching for the right words to say. "He wanted Juvia to return to his team."

"You didn't have a team before."

"Yes," Juvia nodded slightly. "But Juvia used to work with him at that time."

"That wasn't a team. That was bullying."

"Juvia knows." She wasn't stupid not to realize that.

Gray sighed. "So? Are you leaving?"

"Juvia is not sure."

"You're not? How do you feel about it?" Gray urged her. He would definitely want Juvia to stay, but he didn't want to sound pushy either. She's a talented anesthetist; she deserved to be wherever that is she wanted to be.

There was a short pause from her. "Juvia had really come to love Magnolia Hospital," she started. "She had never felt so happy working in a team before. Jellal-san and Gajeel-kun are so kind, and they trusted Juvia so much. Levy-san is very supportive, and she just knew how to back Juvia up at all times. Natsu-san is very optimistic, and he always tries his best to make things easy for everyone. And Lucy-san. Even though we didn't talk that much, but Juvia never met a scrub nurse that can connect to Juvia's calculation so much," she paused for another second, a small smile curved on her lips as if recalling a very fond memory. "And despite being an intern, Wendy-san is very talented. Juvia knows she has a lot more to show, and Juvia wants to watch her more. Juvia really wants to watch her grow."

Gray smiled at her, the uncomfortable churn inside his stomach disappeared into nothing at how she sincerely felt towards them.

Juvia hesitated a bit before continuing. "And Gray-sama too. Juvia... Had really come to love working with you," there was a faint blush tainting her cheeks as she spoke. "Juvia really loves this team. She really does. She loves them so much."

A proud grin made its way on Gray's face. There was a sign of relief washing over him as he reached a hand to grab hers. "Then go tell your answer to him," he said, eyes fixed on hers in a convincing stare. "Because whatever that is that he would do to you, I'm here with you. We all are."

Erza was walking along the garden of Magnolia Hospital when a voice greeted her. "How do you like my greeting, little red riding hood?"

She spun, facing the vice professor of Crocus General Hospital smirking towards her. "What the hell are you doing here, Minerva?"

Minerva shrugged. "I was just thinking of greeting you more officially, since I had already greeted you in a more 'friendly' way."

"What do you mean?" Erza hissed.

There was a mocking laugh from Minerva before she pulled out the magazine from her clutch; the very magazine that held the controversial issue of Jellal's case. "It turned out to be better than I expected."

Erza's eyes widened, teeth gnashing in wrath. "That was your doing?"

"How do you like my greeting, Erza? Are you excited for my next gift?"

"You bitch," Erza's hands clenched into a tight fist. "Jellal has nothing to do with this! Why did you do that to him?"

Minerva's brows quirked. "Oh, don't fool me. You love him, don't you? This is the most perfect greeting I can ever give to you," she laughed again. "Besides, he's meddling too much into our affair. Consider himself unlucky for getting involved with you. Don't get jealous, Erza. I still have more gifts to come."

"What in fucking hell are you planning to do?" she seethed.

Minerva faked a gasp. "Oh, it wouldn't be called a gift if you already know the content, dear. Surprise, surprise."

"Get a hold of yourself, Minerva. You're a doctor for God damn sake!"

"Oh, how nice of you," the black haired woman clicked her tongue. "My success rate is much higher than you, in case you haven't notice. And I'll make sure our gap increase even more."

What? Erza eyed her incredulously.

Minerva's eyes shot hers menacingly. "Brace yourself, Erza. I'm going to destroy your team, and everything that goes with it."

Jellal was spacing out when he heard a knock on his office door. He granted permission and he leaned towards his desk, rubbing his face a bit to focus himself. It was tiring for him lately with all the reporters trying to get to him. It was good enough that they only rain him with massive phone calls. They hadn't come flooding the hospital—yet.

"Are you okay?" the familiar female voice sounded worried, and Jellal quickly raised his head to meet the familiar scarlet haired surgeon. "You look exhausted."

"Erza, what are you doing here?" Jellal furrowed his brows slightly.

There was a small pout on her lips that Jellal thought she rarely wears it. "I can't come to my boyfriend's office now?"

He chuckled softly. "No, that's not what I mean. It wouldn't be nice if Milliana sees you here."

Erza's face dropped a bit, her eyes lowered in guilt as she remembered her encounter with Minerva. It's not fair. It's just not fair for him.

Erza's miserable monologue was interrupted by the sound of a phone by the side of Jellal's desk. She saw him sighing, before pushing the silent button.

"Sorry about that," he smiled apologetically. "Some people just don't know when to give up."

She bit her lips, catching the hint he was giving. Was that the reporters? Did he receive such calls the whole day? "I'm sorry," she blurted in reflex.

"It's not your fault, don't be troubled by that," Jellal shook his head.

"I miss you."

Jellal froze at that. His eyes darted up, meeting hers. He could see the unshed tears, proving just how much emotions she held inside. And Jellal felt a part of him was torn. He really didn't want to risk dragging Erza into his trouble. But seeing her right now standing so fragile in front of him made him doubt his own decision. Was it wrong that he thought they shouldn't be too close while Kagura and Milliana are still mad about Simon?

"Erza, I—"

"Why wouldn't you tell me anything? I thought we're finally coming together but why do you still keep your distance? Am I really not trustworthy?" her voice was quivering in attempt to hold back her tears.

His eyes widened a bit at the sight. She had always appeared so strong, yet appeared so soft in his presence. He had always hated it when he was the reason for her tears. "I don't want you to think that I'm taking advantage of you."

"Why would I think that?" a single tear slipped down her cheek.

Jellal stood as his hand shot up, reaching to wipe out her tear. "Erza, please. Don't."

She cupped his hand that was gently caressing her cheek. She missed his touch, his scent, his voice. All the time when Jellal kept a safe distance since his news was published was a pure torture to her soul. "Why?"

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "It just doesn't feel right."

"What doesn't?"

"To date the ex-girlfriend of someone you killed."

Erza frowned, looking up to his dark orbs questioningly. "Who?"

"You?" Jellal rubbed his thumb across her soft cheek.

Erza blinked. "I'm the ex-girlfriend of whom?"

It was Jellal's turn to frown. "Weren't you and Simon dating?"

Silence.

"Eh? Eh?" her eyes widened at the thought. "No! I never dated anyone before you. Why would you think that?"

He blinked in confusion. "You didn't? But during the funeral I heard Kagura said—"

"Kagura and Milliana always call me his girlfriend, but I'm not," she protested. "Well, yes, Simon confessed to me, but I—" she stuttered a bit, a soft shade of pink adorning her face. "I like someone else."

Jellal blinked a few more times as realization dawned upon him. "Oh," was all he managed to say at the misunderstanding he held for years. "So you didn't date him?"

"No!"

He chuckled awkwardly. "Okay. Umm, sorry about that."

She frowned at him. "But did you?" she asked. "Did you really kill him?"

Jellal met her determined eyes before sighing. "Yes." There's no way he can run away from Erza now. And somehow, she was right. She was his girl. She deserved to know about it.

"But why? How?"

Jellal rubbed his face before raking his fingers across his hair. He turned, making his way to the sofa in his office as he sat. "I... Miscalculated the situation."

"Miscalculated?" Erza followed him sitting by his side.

"Yeah."

"So it really was a medical error?"

"Yeah," Jellal nodded firmly. "I told you, it's just as it is. A miscalculation."

Erza stared intently at him. Part of her still couldn't believe it. She never thought a genius like Jellal would commit a medical error—a miscalculation on top of that. But there was so much truth in his eyes that Erza just could not bring herself to deny him.

Bora stood up as he watched Juvia making her way towards him at the main entrance of Magnolia Hospital. He squinted a bit suspiciously when he saw Gray together with Juvia, his hand wrapping around hers. Juvia had called him this morning, telling him to wait there and that she already had her answer. But what he didn't expect was to have Gray walking together with that girl. Bora could still remember the pain on his face from Gray's punch. That brat. He gnashed his teeth.

"Ano, Bora-san, thank you for coming," Juvia's soft voice greeted him with a small bow.

Bora looked down the intertwined hands between the two. Sure, if she really wanted to come back with him, she shouldn't be holding hands with another guy, right? And he was sure she told him that she already had a firm answer. Putting two and two together, Bora took in a deep breath. So she decided to stay in Magnolia, huh?

Gray let go of Juvia's hand, giving a soft pat on her head as he smiled at her. Juvia returned the smile, nodding confidently before turning to approach Bora.

"So this is you answer?" Bora asked, glaring a bit towards Gray.

Juvia followed his sight, smiling softly when her eyes landed onto the raven haired guy leaning against a nearby pole. "Yes."

"Are you sure?" Bora asked again. "You do know you can't get away from this without me, don't you?"

Juvia frowned, slightly displeased at how Bora trying to blackmail her. "Bora-san, Juvia knows you might have a power supporting you."

Bora smirked at that.

"But please watch around you too. True, you might have the power. But Juvia has friends—nakama, that will fight alongside with Juvia. And even if you managed to make us fall to the deepest depth, we have each other to climb up again."

Bora scoffed. "Oh, please. That's such a pathetic way of saying you don't need the money when in fact you just don't know how to get it. You have no future ahead of you, Juvia. You picked the wrong choice."

Juvia bit her lips, looking up at the man she had given all her heart to. "Juvia is sorry for turning Bora-san down, but she really hopes that someday Bora-san will meet his own team and—"

"Shut the fuck up, Juvia!" Bora suddenly yelled, loud enough to attract some attention from the passersby. Juvia jumped visibly at the sudden outburst, cowering a bit. "Stop talking in third person! You're so damn annoying—!"

Bora didn't managed to finish his outrage. The next thing he knew, there was a strong hand grabbing his collar, pushing him roughly towards the wall. He winced at the pain when his back slammed onto it. His eyes shot open, meeting a pair of fiery dark blue eyes from the very man who had punched him a few months ago.

"Gray-sama!" Juvia had her worried expression plastered, her hands shot up to grab Gray's arm to no avail.

"No one talk to my girl that way. Apologize," Gray warned, his eyes casting down towards the man in a dangerous glare. His hold on Bora's neck tightened, as if to emphasize his words. "Apologize. Now."

Bora swore he had never met such a rough doctor. But then again, he already experienced the unpleasant meeting with the said man. He wasn't just all talk. And Bora could feel his legs shivering at the memory of it. He stuttered some incoherent words when he felt Gray's grip tightened even more. And that's when he finally mustered the word audibly. "S-sorry..."

Bora coughed when Gray let go of him, and instinctively he shot a menacing glare towards the surgeon. "You will pay for this. I swear with all my life!" he scrambled on his legs, tripping a bit before he hurriedly left the two couple.

"Do whatever you want," Gray scoffed. "Perhaps you just don't know that I never give a damn about fame anyway."

A/N: We will get a gist about Jellal's past with Simon on the next episode, and the real ride will begin at the very same time too. Constructive criticisms are always welcomed! Anyone volunteering to proof read is very much appreciated too LOL. And thank you as usual to those who commented; TheSecretDreamer, JoshTyron29, ProjXPsyClone, Shadow Mystery, Bubblycutie and Awesomnessdude, Vermilion Steps, ColdBurn-3, BlueWaterGirl, ViciousBluesummers, Matchmakingdove1028, elle003, Bloody Misaki, Medaka-chan, nekossi and the unnamed Guest.